Gas-generating valve

ABSTRACT

A gas-generating valve for releasing a pressurized fluid from a container and releasing a gas into the fluid from a gas generator after the fluid has been released. This is accomplished by opening an outlet port on the container, preferably by the action of a piston moving relative to a casing. Gas from the gas generator is then released into the fluid, again preferably by the movement of the piston.

United States Patent 11 1 Keathley et al.

[ ]v Nov. 27, 1973 GAS-GENERATING VALVE 3,117,424 1/1964 Hebenstreit 2223 3,437,245 4/1969 Herbert et al. 222/541 X [75] Inventors- DmmldKeathley P Y 2,959,326 11/1960 Pouliot 222 5 John T. M. Lee,Phoenlxvllle, both 1' P 1 O a Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves [73]Assignee: ICl American Incorporated, Assistant Examiner ]0hn P. ShannonWilmington, Del. Attorney-Kenneth E. Mulford and Roger R. Horton [22]Filed: June 8, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 151,071 [57] ABSTRACT A gas-generatingvalve for releasing a pressurized fluid 52 US. Cl. 222/3, 222/5 from acontainer and releasing a gas into the fluid [51] Int. Cl B67b 7/24 froma gas generator after the fluid has been released- [58] Field of Search222 3 5 492 541' This is accomplished by Pening Outlet the 9/316 320 324280/150 container, preferably by the action of-a piston moving relativeto a casing. Gas from the gas generator is then [56] References Citedreleased into the fluid, again preferably by the move- UNITED STATESPATENTS 1 of the I 3,649,045 3/1972 Smith et al. 280/150 AB 5 Claims, 5Drawing Figures 20 5 9 11 6 *4 v i 22 .2 A\ 1-\ 4 IO 18 "PATEM'EM27 msum 1D? 5 FIG. I

V N N INVENTOR Donald P. Keclthley John T. M. Lee

ATTORNEY -PATENT'EWYJ2' 4 377480? ss-itE ie cF INVENTORS Donald PKeothley John T. M. Lee

ATTORNEY PAIENIEUnnvzv 1923 SHEET 3 BF 5 w Q Q r ..mw Q E up 5 .km w H mH v OIq I N VENTORS Donald P. Keathley PMENTEHHUY2H975' .774.807

f SHEET up;

QR g bisba INVENTORS Donald P. Keo'rhley John T. M. Lee

lay/gm 77 ATTORNEY PATENT) NOV 2 7 I975 SHIQEI 5 BF 5 Mm mw E. v. Q.7/////////// A////////////// INVENTORS Donald P. Keu'rhley John T. M.Lee

ATTORNEY 1 GAS-GENERATING VALVE The inflatable air bag is a new safetydevice for protecting automobile passengers in a collision. When theautomobile strikes something or is struck by something, a sensor detectsthe change in motion and closes a switch. This fires a detonator whichreleases gas under high pressure from a bottle into a folded bag. Thebag expands in front of the .driver or passenger and prevents him fromstriking the dashboard. See U. S. Pat. No. 3,485,973.

We have invented a gas-generating valve for releasing the gas from thebottle into a conduit going to the air bag, although, of course, it maybe used for other purposes. Our valve includes a gas generator whichadds to the amount of gas released. However, the gas generator does notsignificantly increase the pressure of the gas in the bottle since gasfrom the gas generator cannot be released into the bottle until thevalve is open. This is a safety feature of great importance since anaccidental release of gas from the gas generator before the valve hasopened would increase the pressure I in the bottle and might shatter it.

In our valve, a container (usually a bottle, but it may be a pipeline,etc.) holds'a fluid (generally a gas) under pressure. The container hasan outlet port which is closed by a removable port seal. The port sealis opened by some means, preferably by the action of a piston movingrelative to a casing. Either the piston or the casing, whichever ismoving relative'to the port seal, is connected to the port seal andopens the outlet port. The piston or casing is preferably made to moveby the action of an explosive charge, although the gas generator itselfor a mechanical or other means may also be used. After the port seal isopened, the gas from the gas generator is released into the fluid. Thisis preferably accomplished by the movement of the piston or casing,whichever is moving relative to the gas generator.

This invention may be readily understood from the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a certain presently preferredembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a modified valve of the generaltype of the valve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of another valve according to thisinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a further valve according tothis invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of still another valve accordingto this invention.

In FIG. 1, a bottle 1 contains a gas under high pressure. The bottle isthreaded onto casing 2 which contains piston 3 having an optional O-ringseal 4 and a well 5. The casing also contains port seal 6 which has awell 7 and firing pin 8. Rod 9 has pins 10 and 11 which removably fitinto wells 5 and 7, respectively. I

This construction prevents gas flowing through the valve from closingthe valve, since gas striking piston 3 will move the piston to the leftwithout moving port seal 6 because rod 9 will drop out of wells 5, 7, orboth. 4

Casing 2 is threaded to gas generator 12 which has a percussion cap 13,a gas generating composition 14,

and a plate 15 having numerous apertures 16 there-- through. Casing 2 isprovided with four ports 17 (three shown) and four ports 18 (threeshown). A pipe 19 sealed at one end encloses ports 18. At the end of the2 casing opposite the gas generator is a plug 20 containing a squib 21having legwires 22.

The valve of FIG. 1 is operated by sending a current through legwires 22which initiates squib 21. The resulting explosion moves piston 3 to theright until port seal 6 strikes gas generator 12. Gas in bottle 1 willimmediately flow through ports 17, casing 2, out ports 18, and down pipe19.

When port seal 6 strikes gas generator 12, pin 8 also strikes percussioncap 13 firing it and initiating gas generating composition 14. The gasproduced flows through apertures 16 to join the gas in the bottleflowing into pipe 19. Gas generating'compositions may be single base,double base, composite, or other suitable compositions.

In FIG. 2, pipe 23 is threaded into casing 24 and leads to a bottle (notshown) containing a gas under high pressure. Also threaded into casing24 is a cap 25 containing a gas generating composition 26. A plate 27has numerous apertures 28 therethrough and a recessed portion 29 andholds percussion cap 30. Also threaded into casing 24 is a second pipe31 which leads to the air bag and a plug 32 which holds electricallyactuated squib 33. As in FIG. 1, inside casing 24 is a piston 34 havingan O-ring 35, a rod 36, and port seal 37 having a firing pin 38.

The valve operates in a manner similar to the valve of FIG. 1. Squib 33is fired sending piston 34 to the right which permits the gas in thebottle to begin to exit through pipe 31. Firing pin 38 then strikespercussion cap 30 and gas generator 26 begins burning, sendingadditional gas out apertures 28 and pipe 31.

In FIG. 3, a metal bottle 39 containing a gas under pressure is threadedonto casing 40 which is comprised of end portion 41 threaded to cupportion 42. Cup portion 42 contains piston 43, a portion 44 of whichacts as a port seal for four ports 45 (two shown) in cup portion 42.Piston 43 has four ports 46 (two shown) and a single port 47 which iscovered by sealing disc 48. Wires 49 pass through glass seal 50 inbottle 39 and glass seal 51 in cup portion 42. They are joined bybridgewire52 which is coated with an ignition composition 53 whichignites gas generating composition 54.

The valve of FIG. 3 is operated by sending an electrical current throughwires 49 thereby igniting ignition composition 53 and gas generatingcomposition 54.

The resulting gas pressure moves piston 43 to the left until it strikesend portion 40. This causes ports 45 and 46 to align releasing the gasin bottle 39. The gas pressure from the gas generating compositioncontinues to increase until sealing disc 48 is ruptured, permitting thegas to escape.

in FIG. 4, a bottle 56 contains a gas under pressure and is threadedonto piston 57 having four ports 58 (two shown). The piston holds twosquibs 59, each having a legwire 60. A CUP 61 having numerous apertures62 and holding a gas generating composition 69 is welded to the top ofthe piston. The outside of the pis- When the gas pressure from the gasproducing composition has reached a certain level, seal 68 is broken andcasing 66 moves to the right. When crimp 67 reaches port 58, the gasinthe bottle passes through the port and out through conduits which leadto the air bag. Then aperture 70 passes stop 65 permitting gas from thegas producing composition to break off sealing discs 71 and pass out theaperture 70. The gas then strikes deflector 69 which is provided todeflect the gas from ports 58 until it has mixed with the gas in thebottle and cooled somewhat. The gas then joins the gas in the bottle inpassing out ports 58. When crimp 67 reaches sloping portion 64, themoving casing is slowed and is finally stopped when crimp 67 strikesstop 65. The sloping portion is provided to prevent a sudden shockwhich'might let the casing come off the piston.

in FIG. 5, a bottle 73 containing a gas under pressure is threaded ontopiston 74. Piston 74 has port 75 and holds squib 76 having legwires 77.Channel 78 leads from squib 76 to gas producing composition 79 which iscontained in a cup portion 80 having numerous aper- Y tures 81. A casing82 fits over the piston and is sealed with solder or the like at 83. Arod 84 having an enlarged portion 85 is threaded into casing 82. Theenlarged portion 85 has a duct 86 passing through it. An O-ring 87 sealsthe rod to the piston.

The valve of FIG. 5 is operated by sending a current through legwires 77which fires squib 76. A flame shoots up channel 78 initiating gasproducing composition 79. When the gas pressure has increasedsufficiently, seal 83 is broken and casing 82 and rod 84 together moveto the right. As soon as enlarged portion 85 has moved to port 75, thegas in the bottle begins to flow out the port into conduits leading tothe air bag. When enlarged portion 85 has almost completely passed port75, casing 82 moves past apertures 81, thus permitting gas from the gasproducing composition to join the gas in the bottle in passing out port75. Enlarged portion 85 then strikes piston 74 preventing casing 82 fromflying off piston 74. Duct 86 is provided to permit the escape of airbetween enlarged portion 85 and piston 74.

What is claimed is:

l. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising:

a. a container capable of holding a gas under pressure;

b. said container having an outlet port;

0. a valve casing being movable relative to said outlet port;

d. a stationary piston in sealed, slidable relation to said casing;

e. a removable port seal closing said outlet port and removable incooperation with the movement of said casing;

f. means for moving said casing;

g. means for releasing gas from said gas generator into said fluidcontainer after moving said casing to remove said seal from said outletport.

2. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising:

a. a container capable of holding a gas under pressure;

b. said container having an oulet port;

c. a valve casing;

d. a piston in sealed, slidable relation within said casing, said pistonbeing a movable part relative to said outlet port;

e. a removable port seal closing said outlet port and removable incooperation with the movement of said piston;

f. means for moving said piston; and

g. means for releasing gas from said gas generator into said fluidcontainer after moving said piston to remove said seal from said outletport wherein said gas generator is inside said container adjacent saidoutlet port and said gas from said gas generator is released inside saidcontainer;

3. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising:

a. a container capable of holding a gas under pressure;

b. said container having an outlet port;

c. a valve casing;

d. a piston in sealed, slidable relation within said casing, said pistonbeing a movable part relative to said outlet port;

e. a removable port seal closing said outlet port and removable incooperation with the movement of said piston;

f. means for moving said piston; and

g. means for releasing gas from said gas generator into said fluidcontainer after moving said piston to remove said seal from said outletport wherein said means for moving said movable part is gas from saidgas generator.

4. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising:

a. a container capable of holding a gas under pressure; I

b. said container having an outlet port;

c. a valve casing;

d. a piston in sealed, slidable relation within said casing, said pistonbeing a movable part relative to said outlet port;

e. a removable port seal closing said outlet port and removable incooperation with the movement of said piston;

f. means for moving said piston; and

g. means for releasing gas from said gas generator into said fluidcontainer after moving said piston to remove said seal from said outletport wherein said port seal is a portion of said piston.

5. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising:

a. a container capable of holding a gas under pressure;

b. said container having an outlet port;

0. a valve casing;

d. a piston in sealed, slidable relation within said casing, said pistonbeing a movable part relative to said outlet port;

e. a removable port seal closing said outlet port and removable incooperation with the movement of said piston;

f. means for moving said piston; and

g. means for releasing gas from saidgas generator into said fluidcontainer after moving said piston to remove said seal from said outletport wherein said gas generator is in communication with a percussionprimer and wherein said movable part of said port seal has a firing pinwhich aligns with said percussion primer.

P0405 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3 I 774 I 807 Dated November- 27 19 73 Inventods) Donald P. KeathleyJohn T. M. Lee

It is certified that error appears in the ebove-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column l, li ne 61', "or both. 4" should read --or both.-

Signed a r 1d sealed this 3rd day of December 1974.

(SEAL) I I Attest c MARSHALL DANN v Commissioner of Patents McCOY M.GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer

1. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising: a.a container capable of holding a gas under pressure; b. said containerhaving an outlet port; c. a valve casing being movable relative to saidoutlet port; d. a stationary piston in sealed, slidable relation to saidcasing; e. a removable port seal closing said outlet port and removablein cooperation with the movement of said casing; f. means for movingsaid casing; g. means for releasing gas from said gas generator intosaid fluid container after moving said casing to remove said seal fromsaid outlet port.
 2. A gas generator, valve and fluid containerarrangement comprising: a. a container capable of holding a gas underpressure; b. said container having an oulet port; c. a valve casing; d.a piston in sealed, slidable relation within said casing, said pistonbeing a movable part relative to said outlet port; e. a removable portseal closing said outlet port and removable in cooperation with themovement of said piston; f. means for moving said piston; and g. meansfor releasing gas from said gas generator into said fluid containerafter moving said piston to remove said seal from said outlet portwherein said gas generator is inside said container adjacent said outletport and said gas from said gas generator is released inside saidcontainer.
 3. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangementcomprising: a. a container capable of holding a gas under pressure; b.said container having an outlet port; c. a valve casing; d. a piston insealed, slidable relation within said casing, said piston being amovable part relative to said outlet port; e. a removable port sealclosing said outlet port and removable in cooperAtion with the movementof said piston; f. means for moving said piston; and g. means forreleasing gas from said gas generator into said fluid container aftermoving said piston to remove said seal from said outlet port whereinsaid means for moving said movable part is gas from said gas generator.4. A gas generator, valve and fluid container arrangement comprising: a.a container capable of holding a gas under pressure; b. said containerhaving an outlet port; c. a valve casing; d. a piston in sealed,slidable relation within said casing, said piston being a movable partrelative to said outlet port; e. a removable port seal closing saidoutlet port and removable in cooperation with the movement of saidpiston; f. means for moving said piston; and g. means for releasing gasfrom said gas generator into said fluid container after moving saidpiston to remove said seal from said outlet port wherein said port sealis a portion of said piston.
 5. A gas generator, valve and fluidcontainer arrangement comprising: a. a container capable of holding agas under pressure; b. said container having an outlet port; c. a valvecasing; d. a piston in sealed, slidable relation within said casing,said piston being a movable part relative to said outlet port; e. aremovable port seal closing said outlet port and removable incooperation with the movement of said piston; f. means for moving saidpiston; and g. means for releasing gas from said gas generator into saidfluid container after moving said piston to remove said seal from saidoutlet port wherein said gas generator is in communication with apercussion primer and wherein said movable part of said port seal has afiring pin which aligns with said percussion primer.